We use the word “devotion” a lot in the Christian life. There’s a whole bookstore sub-genre for devotional writing that offers reflective meditations on God’s character and work in our lives. These may include short, digestible pieces—like this one—that many of us orient our days around as a way to center our hearts on God. You know the rhythm: set the hazelnut coffee on the desk, adjust the throw blanket on the chair, open the pages of your favorite Bible or app, and ask the Holy Spirit to meet with you.
I genuinely believe, as you probably do too, that the heartbeat of a devotional time isn’t the hazelnut coffee or throw blankets or apps. It’s the moment when we choose God. It’s the decision to focus on our holy, glory-filled God and say no to the thousand other things vying for our attention. There is power here. Because the heart that is open before God is the one transformed by Him.
When we read today’s passage, we are reminded of just how easy it is for our attention and devotion to gravitate toward anything but God. It’s all over these pages. Moses cautions the Israelites against this distraction and points out all the specific replacements for worshipping the Lord that he observes in their culture: hand-crafted idols (Deuteronomy 4:16), heavenly bodies (v.19), and other forbidden things.
I don’t know about you, but my heart is easily tugged and pulled when other things look like they can deliver on promises sooner or better than God. When our attention wanders, our actions wander with it. But we are called to another way, one of faithfulness, commitment, obedience, and devotion. This is our response to the God who wanders in the wilderness with us, who offers “faithful love to a thousand generations” (Exodus 34:7). A thousand! He has been faithfully guiding His people since even before this generation of men and women preparing to enter the promised land, and His guidance extends to you and me today.
I think it’s important to hold grace for ourselves and recognize that, despite our best efforts, there will be days when our hearts will wander again. It’s all over these Scripture passages—an acknowledgement that we will wander. God sees it coming. And, still, He calls for us to devote ourselves to Him once again.
Today, may we choose the God who keeps choosing us. We can do that in the stillness of the morning or out in the heat of the day. Whether we already have a burning desire to walk with Him, or we’ve turned toward other loves that promise to deliver quicker or better, let’s remain faithful to the One who remains faithful to us. “He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your ancestors that he swore to them by oath,” said Moses to the Israelites, “because the LORD your God is a compassionate God” (Deuteronomy 4:31).
Leave a Reply
83 thoughts on "Devotion to the Lord"
I was struck this morning by Deut 4:31 when it mentions the covenant that God made with our ancestors. It’s amazing that even though we’re not related to the Israelites by blood, they are our ancestors through the blood of Jesus and this covenant is ours as well
Thank you, Sheryl. I just missed it somehow since it was flipped around.
Allison, that portion is at the beginning of the verse in parentheses (for the Lord your God is a merciful God) in my ESV and NKJV
I love the part where it says, “because the Lord your God is a compassionate God.” And, it is true, but what version are you quoting? That portion of the verse doesn’t appear in my Bible (ESV) or any that I search.
It’s a good reminder that the tension of keeping God at the centre of our lives has always been there. To know that it was a struggle even for the Israelites who saw God before them in a cloud of fire, or experienced his victory in winning over new land. It has always been a fight to keep God at the centre of the human heart, yet He is so gracious and full of mercy to keep turning His own heart towards us. He never leaves us, and it is my prayer that I would keep learning to keep my heart toward him in every way.
No matter how many times I turn away, He is still there.
Give me strength oh God to turn from the worldly distractions. Thank you for being the God who “let” us return to you over and over for you are loving and merciful! Amen
“Because the Lord your God is a compassionate God.” Wow.
1,000 other things…well said. Eyes to heaven.
Perfect reminder as I’m distracted by so many things today!
♥️
May we choose the God who keeps choosing us. Such a sweet reminder.
God is faithful! ❤️
This is my first time reading Deuteronomy and it has to be one of my favorite books in the Bible already!!
❤️
I loved the devotional today; a great reminder. I choose God! In the quiet of my morning time, he is what it’s about, not the other 1000 things trying to get my attention. Praise Him!
May we choose the God who keeps choosing us. So good and so sweet. He chooses us every day. I hope I don’t ever forget that.
30When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
34Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
My prayer from now on:
“And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.”
Amen
Praying for you, Ann, in this exciting time!
♥️
Thank you so much for your prayers❤️
I love the reminder of God choosing us even when we struggle to do so! I have been reminded this week to limit my distractions and focus on the Lord. Today’s devotion just reminded my soul again!
@ Nads – end of second paragraph in devotional.
Update: thank you for those who prayed for me, CeeGee, Jody Lynn, Foster Mama, ERB, Nads, and others. My OB appointment went well, the baby is growing and looking healthy praise God! Thank you all so much for praying for us, God is good and He is faithful!!
Congratulations Ann on this huge blessing. I’ll be praying for you!
Ann, Congratulations!
The Lord will never leave or abandon us and He is near to all who call on Him. Praise God for this! I am having my first baby soon, and the anxiety and fear of upcoming labor and delivery can be overwhelming. Thankful that I can trust God to be with me through each step of the way.
“the heart that is open before God is the one transformed by Him.”
He meets us in the most interesting places. The car while we sing. The home while we pray. The solitude where we question. The heartache and brokenness where we cry out. All the while, he beckons us to return, to turn towards Him, to turn towards the light of His glory.
Thank you Foster mama !! ❤️
Thank you Nads!
Thank you so much SarahJoy! My appointment is at 11:15 PST your prayers are so much appreciated
A second post – I realized that I did not come from a believing family. At least not in actions. My parents went to the Catholic church more out of an obligation. I wanted to know God so much as a young girl. Oh if only it would have been allowed. My mom told my a church that I went to (once) with a friend, was bad. But I loved it. It wasn’t bad, it was Bible based. It was different than what she knew. All this reminded me of generation to generation. How different my life may have been if my past generations had known God. I pray that I will pass that on to my son. He was raised in church and went to a christian school. But turned away. I’m praying he comes back to God. Especially with his illness progressing. We have had opportunities to talk about God. So thankful for that.
Oh God, help me to seek you with ALL my heart and soul. I pray not to be lead astray by idols. To keep my eyes on the Lord. To have my heart transformed by You.
Wow so many good things in today’s reading and commentary. All I can say is how convicting this study has been- and it’s only day 3! Although the power and presence of God is marked all across my life, I forget. But when I forget, God does not and never forgets the promises He’s spoken over me. He is such a sweet Father. And He’s always waiting for us to turn back continually in devotion to Him. He waits patiently and expectantly for us.
I think the most amazing part of todays reading is that if we seek the Lord with all of our hearts, than He will never forsake us. What a beautiful promise. Lord I pray that you could not only turn my eyes from all of my idols, but take them away from me, so I may serve you only. Have a great day sisters!
@BAILEY… Why He chooses ME, I’ll never fully know but…YES!!
@VICTORIA E (and all the pregnancies mentioned here)… Praying fervently
MARTHA HIX, ❤️
A preacher once said, in emphasizing how important it is to avoid idols in our life, that the summary of the book of First John is essentially “Love, Love, love, love; Children, guard yourselves from idols”
@KELLY – Where did this come from? I love it: “The heart that is open before God is the one transformed by Him.”
@TINA – I love everything you wrote. My dad has always told us all the blessing in our life is because of the faithfulness of his own parents; for his 80th birthday, we gave him a photobook and, on a page with his parents, we put Psalm 103:17-18… Enjoy Mom, Nan, friend, etc.!
Jane K I loved how your posts came out!! I know it was an accident but it was kind of cool , too!
Help me to always walk with you Father. To always serve you and to shine your light on everything and everywhere I go. Thank you for your faithfulness!
I am so thankful that God is faithful and will not ever leave me. Thank you Father for waiting for me even when I wonder away. You are patient and kind and love me always. I love you Father!
Help me to serve you, Lord, with all my heart and with all my soul. Help me not to chase after other things.
Today, May we choose God who keeps choosing us. I loved this. Such a great insight Bailey. Thank you.
Thank you
Thank you Taylor, & I’m agreeing with you in these prayers.
Oh my goodness! I was in the middle of a post and something went very wrong. Sorry for the multiple posts!! It I didn’t like my format! Anyways, as I listed God’s character traits, I was humbled and in awe of our God. Thank you for the prayers for my daughter and her baby. I feel blessed by all of you. I am continuing to pray for the request shared here.
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character that I saw.
Consuming fire
Jealous God
Compassionate
Only One
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abounding in faithful love and truth
Faithful love to a thousand generations
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character that I saw.
Consuming fire
Jealous God
Compassionate
Only One
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abounding in faithful love and truth
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character that I saw.
Consuming fire
Jealous God
Compassionate
Only One
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abounding in faithful love
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character that I saw.
Consuming fire
Jealous God
Compassionate
Only One
Gracious
Slow to anger
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character that I saw.
Consuming fire
Jealous God
Compassionate
Only One
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character that I saw.
Consuming fire
Jealous God
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character.
Consuming fire
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character.
From today’s verses, I made a list of God’s character
“If you love me, YOU WILL keep my commands.” I’ve always misread this as “if I love Him, I’ll make good choices”. But really- the choice has been made. It’s if I love Him- His commands ARE being kept. Go with me a second- There is no command to keep His commands. Read the verse again- it’s summed up in the action of keeping commands preceding it. If I’m truly loving Him, then His commands ARE being kept. I’ve just always seen it as a 2-step process. First love Him. Check. Ok, now go and work to keep His commands. Check (sometimes). But stop and think- in our new covenant- what IS His command? To love. All the rules and laws and commands are summed up in this- Love God above all, love others. Then He defines love for us in 1 Corinthians 13- He spells out what love is and how we can recognize it in ourselves and others. He demonstrated further it in the life and Death of His Son.
Truly loving Him is ultimate obedience. It guides our steps and makes sure we are in the place He wants us. It furthers His Kingdom in every word we speak and action we do. It changes our day- which changes our lifetime. It carries on to the next generation and the next and next… It meets our needs, even when it doesn’t fully answer all of our questions. And today, that is sooo what I need.
He chose me, us. How awesome that Almighty God would do so. ERB reminded today of all the warnings against idol worship in Isaiah. Loved your words this morning too. Taylor yours too and the recap of prayers. What really strikes me is that idols, lifeless manmade things take what belongs to our God, time, love, devotion to some thing that has and does nothing for us. And in the warnings to stay away from them, I hear God’s love in not wanting us to be caught in the web of lies, giving power to something that truly has none. His anger doesn’t just seem to be a righteous anger, but anger that we are harmed by the deception. Lord help our eyes always to be open, and guard our hearts from putting ourselves, others, things, in a place higher than you. Glory be to the only God who saves us in Jesus name Amen. Praying for you Sisters. May you all feel the depth, width and strength of God’s mighty love this day.
Thankfully for these words, setting my heart to be aligned with God this morning, before my day begins. Thankful for the devotional, and your words @Tina and @Kelly. Happy Wednesday! May we all reflect God’s holiness and compassion throughout our day today.
If we love Him keep His Commandments! Keeping His commandments shows OUR love for God. Jesus dying on the cross to save us shows Gods love for us. Love God ( worship no other gods, no idols, don’t take his name in vain, Remembering to Keep the Sabbath Holy) Love others (don’t steal, kill, lie, covet your neighbors belongings or spouse, commit adultery). Jesus is the only one who can save us from our sin and make us new. Once we are saved we walk with Him we live i the world but not of the world. Keeping his commandments are no longer burdensome bc His law is written in our hearts. We don’t want to kill or take the Lords name in vain. Same should be said for keeping the sabbath. Not as an act of works but as an act of Love for the One who Saved Us.
HOPE, so glad that you are encouraged!! To God be all the Glory!!! Be Blessed today dear sister!! ❤️
I will choose the God who keeps choosing me!
This is soooo good! God is so faithful. So thankful I serve a God who is forever faithful even in my wanderings
@ERB I always keep an eye out for your posts and read them. I find such encouragement and kernels of truth that I have often missed. I really found today’s comment insightful. That is a question I had been wrestling with for a long time. I missed that in today’s reading. I’m going to re read the passage now.
Every generation has faced their own strife and hardships, but in the midst of it all God is good and faithful still.
Thankful to our God for all of the wonderful sisters in the faith on here who comment. It is obvious the spirit is at work in all of you. It encourages me to read all of your posts.
Remember God not just when I’m snuggled with my coffee, blanket and dog, but in the heat of the day. In the busyness God is there. In the tough moments with our growing girls God is there.
God the Holy Spirit in me, before me, around me.
Remind me.
Grab my face.
Thank you for choosing me!!
Reading through yesterdays prayer requests and I really love when people post a recap of requests and my first patient cancelled so I’ll do a recap for those reading today!
@Jane K – praying for your daughter and her pregnancy and that the bleeding would stop
@Adrienne – praying for your son
@Hannah B – praying for your two friends affected by COVID that their bodies would heal in Jesus name
@Dorothy – lifting up you and your family
@Victoria E – praying for your 10 week scan
@Foster Mama – for your situation and your husband’s heart
@Chris Swan – praying for your husband’s surgery
@Angie – I echo Maura’s comment that I miss your posts! Praying you are well
@Any other prayer requests that I missed and those unspoken
@Prayers for Afghanistan and Haiti
HANNAH B, JANE K, VICTORIA E – praying for all the sweet babes stories shared. God, cover the unborn that have been mentioned here with your covering. Give the mamas health and strength and trust in You alone. Holy Spirit come near.
VICTORIA E – praying that your appointment goes well and gives you encouragement. ❤️
For some reason my post is not showing up… trying again!
Deuteronomy 4 has a LOT in it!!! The thing that I noticed most was that it kept repeating “Listen. Be Careful. Watch/Guard yourselves diligently.” It is SO easy to get distracted and fall away from the blessing/s God has called us to: following His statutes & commandments. I needed this reminder to, watch, listen, be careful, be diligent. It’s so important!!!
Verses 27-31 also stood out to me. “27 The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be reduced to a few survivors among the nations where the Lord your God will drive you. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see, hear, eat, or smell. 29 But from there, you will search for the Lord your God, and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, in the future you will return to the Lord your God and obey Him. 31 He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your ancestors that He swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God.”
Verse 27 reminded me of the holocaust and what’s happening with some believers even now!! Verse 28 explains what’s happening in our world today!! Verse 29 is an example of what “coming to the end of ourselves” does..I take that as an encouragement. Verses 30-31 filled me with HOPE!!! Our God knows EXACTLY how to get our attention!!! And it’s super important to take note of these things!!!
I hope all of you wonderful ladies have a blessed, Spirit-led and filled day!!! Amen ❤️
I do the same! My specific chair and special place to meet with Jesus. ♥️
My pastor preached a sermon on Sunday called “Even when” and the theme was EVEN WHEN we run away, EVEN WHEN we mess up time and time again, EVEN WHEN we turn our backs on God and go our own way, He NEVER leaves us, He NEVER forsakes us, He NEVER stops loving us, and He NEVER stops pursuing us. That message and today’s devotion were balm to my soul. I love my morning devotion time here with you all <3 I feel so off on weekdays that I don't wake up and open my Bible. I loved the quote "Today, may we choose the God who keeps choosing us." Lord I choose You, I need You, ONLY You can satisfy the desires of my heart!
Lifting up prayers for you @Martha Hix today <3
Father thank you for your Mercy and Grace through the blood of Jesus. I need both always. Amen.
VICTORIA E; Continuing to pray for you, hubby and the little one!
I loved and NEEDED:
“I need to learn to rely on God in ALL the difficult circumstances in my life, not just the ones it is apparent to me I can do nothing about.”…Please pray for me.
KRISTI PENDLETON and MANDY FERRUGIA… I loved your comments yesterday!
It’s easy to not to feel convicted when it talks about carving idols of animals or people, so I appreciated it when Bailey mentioned setting our hearts on things that we feel could deliver on promises sooner or better than our God. The older I get the older I realize my feelings can be detrimental to the truth. My flesh is sinful and it wants what it wants, but I can cling to the truth that my God is all I need. There is no one like Him! And He loves us despite being prone to wander, what a gift!
It’s easy to not to feel convicted when it talks about carving idols of animals or people, so I appreciated it when Bailey mentioned setting our hearts on things that we feel could deliver on promises sooner or better than our God. The older I get the older I realize my feelings can be detrimental to the truth. My flesh is sinful and it wants what it wants, but I can cling to the truth that my God is a jealous God. Jealous for
Choose GOD who keeps choosing us ♥️
“The heart that is open before God is the one transformed by Him.”
Lord, I want to have an open heart to You and the transformation that makes me more like You – compassionate, gracious,slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth. Help me Holy Spirit to keep guard and diligently watch so that I don’t forget the things my eyes have seen!
Habe a blessed day Shes ❤
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
God is good
Tina, that same verse jumped out at me today as well. Such a comfort knowing our God is faithful to his promises! Have a blessed day
OH today’s Devotion was so good, I am one of those who makes my coffee, curls up in my chair and reads my devotion I felt Bailey must of been right here in my living room watching me. Oh yes these moments are what make my days so amazing, I have met with my Father and he will stay with me the rest of the day. He will not leave me no matter what others may say or do or what may happen. Oh what peace this brings.
Our God is compassionate and so much more. He is gracious, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love, forgiving our sins and iniquities, righteous, and bringing justice. How great is our God!
MARTHA HIX, holding you and yours close and up in prayers for today to ve a good day..
Love wrapped so tightly in prayers and hugs.. coming your way from across the pond.❤
. “He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your ancestors that he swore to them by oath,” said Moses to the Israelites, “because the LORD your God is a compassionate God” (Deuteronomy 4:31
My heart leapt at these words! Oh my did it!
I remembered my grandmother, a praying Christian woman, strong in her faith and one who led by example.
I got excited, because I felt I was still receiving answers to her prayers for me through the blessings I receive each day, even after all these years!
A revelation or a realisation? That God’s promise to answer, His promise to watch over, His promise to provide, His answer to watch over, bless, guide and be with in times of crisis or joy, is part of my blessing today.
How awesome is that!
God’s promise of yester year, still absolutely good today!!!!
But God..
As a praying mother, auntie, grandmother, friend, i do believe my prayers are heard. Yes, for sure, and though I may not see results on some of my prayers, either in my lifetime or in the moment, God made a promise, to my ancestors to never leave, destroy or forget. He keeps His promises for generations to come! I am living in that promise, my family are living in that promise and the generations to come will live in that promise!
Whoop. Whoop!
My heart is full..
But God..
Amen..
Blessings wrapped in love, hugs and prayers for an absolutely God blessed day, dear hearts..❤